Saxophones, Jazz Musicians, and the Influence of Inner Personal Conflicts - Part I

Saxophones, in comparison to many other instruments,large extent, the component of improvisation in order
do not have a very long history. The first one wasto interpret the melody or harmony in a fresh way.
designed around 1840 by a Belgian named AdolphePlaying jazz involves elements of spontaneity, spirit,
Sax in an attempt to improve the sound of the clarinet.creativity, and rhythmic drive. As stated by Gary
Adolphe planned the saxophones as a family ofGiddins, "It's the ultimate in rugged individualism. It's going
instruments ranging in size from the sopranino, soprano,out there on that stage and saying: It doesn't matter
alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass, andhow anybody else did it. This is the way I'm going to
sub-contrabass. Saxophones were first introduced intodo it." Jazz allows the expression of a full range of
a musical score in 1844 by Jean-George Kastner.emotions with whichever instrument the musician is
Saxophones were initially used in symphonies, militaryusing.
bands, and chamber music, then in big bands, and in theClearly, one of the most expressive instruments in this
1920's saxophones were incorporated into jazz music.type of music are saxophones with their ability to
Jazz music began it's infiltration into American music insqueal, laugh, shriek, and whisper. Saxophones are able
March 1917. The principal instruments used included theto release the inner voice, the feelings, the inner
trumpet, cornet, slide trombone, valve trombone,personality of the musician playing them. Not only is
French horn, baritone, clarinet, family of saxophones,jazz music an outlet for those listening to it, but also for
percussion, string bass, and piano. When members ofthe musicians playing the music with their saxophones.
the Original Dixieland Jazz Band were recording theirCertainly what wasn't able to be said in words was
music in a New York studio, they were instructed tooften verbalized musically whether through a soulful
play faster in order to fit the whole song on a record.lament or a happy energetic, playful sound, especially
This exciting, lively, assertive, rowdy, and bold music iswith the tenor, alto, or soprano saxophones.
what caught the attention of everyone's listening ears.This means of expression is portrayed in the music of
It was a time when America was hard at work andnot only the early innovators of swing, but also in
needed an outlet, a way to play. They grasped thisbebop, hard bop, jazz, free jazz, and electric jazz/rock
new style with full force and made jazz a favoritefunk. Some of the best and most renowned music
pastime.came from those musicians with the most difficult inner
Although this seemed like new music, it was not totallypersonal conflicts. It seems though that those with the
new in the truest sense of the word. It involves takingmost troubled lives had the most inner drive to make
apart an already established song and then putting ittheir music as brilliant as possible.
back together in a novel way. Jazz also involves, to a